Registered Nurse - (Sterile Processing Service Chief)

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Poplar Bluff (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The John J. Pershing Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Missouri seeks a Registered Nurse to serve as Chief of Sterile Processing Service (SPS).

This leadership role provides oversight, direction, and evaluation of SPS operations across the medical center. Reporting to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services, the Chief leads high-level disinfection, sterilization, storage, and infection prevention, collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, and chairs or participates in key committees to

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by accrediting bodies.
• Must hold an active RN license in the United States.
• Applicants may pursue a master's level bridge program in nursing.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate SPS operations across the medical center.
• Oversee high-level disinfection, sterilization, sterile storage, and infection prevention.
• Ensure compliance with VHA policies and AAMI guidelines.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and facility leadership.
• Provide administrative oversight of the SPS program and committee participation.
• Develop education and training programs for all SPS personnel.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

Nursing degree (RN)

State licensure as Registered Nurse

Bridge program in nursing (MSN bridge)

Job description

Summary

The John J. Pershing Veterans Affairs Medical Center (JJP VAMC) - a level 3 complexity facility - is recruiting a Registered Nurse to serve as the Chief of Sterile Processing Service (SPS). This position reports directly to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services and is responsible for providing oversight - direction - and evaluation of all SPS operations across the organization.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13060363
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires physical activities commonly associated with nursing duties - including direct patient care and extended periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - and repeated bending or kneeling
• Examples include supporting patients while standing for prolonged periods and adhering to safe patient handling and mobility protocols.

Duties

• The Registered Nurse - Sterile Processing Services (SPS) Chief is responsible for assessing - planning - implementing - and evaluating all sterile processing operations
• This role oversees high-level disinfection - sterilization - sterile storage - infection prevention - and customer satisfaction across the continuum of care
• The Chief ensures compliance with all applicable Veterans Health Administration (VHA) policies and American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) guidelines
• As a key member of medical center leadership - the Chief collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to support high-quality care outcomes
• The position includes administrative oversight of the SPS program and participation on committees such as Infection Prevention and Control - Water Safety - Clinical Executive Council - VISN 15 Advisory Board - Clinical Product Review Committee - Reusable Medical Device Committee - Environment of Care Rounds - and the Enterprise Equipment Request Committee
• The Chief must maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels - as well as with patients - families - and community partners
• Strong collaboration with SPS managers - supervisors - key personnel - and Lead Medical Supply Technicians is essential to achieving expected program functions
• The role contributes to the development of standards - policies - and objectives that enhance sterile processing operations across the organization and supports policy development related to customer service and overall SPS program effectiveness
• Additional duties and requirements include - but are not limited to: Obtaining a VA-recognized sterile processing certification within one year of appointment
• Ensuring the SPS Assistant Chief and supervisory staff obtain required VA-recognized certifications within one year of appointment
• Managing SPS as a service line through a structured Quality Management System (QMS)
• Serving as the facility subject matter expert for RMD reprocessing
• Overseeing all aspects of RMD reprocessing within the facility
• Collaborating with the ADPCS and Chief of Staff to ensure proper reprocessing - high-level disinfection - sterilization - and transport procedures are in place and compliant
• Ensuring staff responsible for point-of-use cleaning - transport - and storage receive required training and competency validation
• Developing and managing education and training programs for all personnel involved in RMD reprocessing
• Ensuring manufacturer instructions for use (MIFU) are available for all RMDs - including consigned and loaned devices
• Evaluating SPS staffing levels annually and reporting findings to the Medical Center Director
• Providing input to Healthcare Engineering to ensure construction and renovation plans meet VHA design guidelines
• Collaborating with RMD users and Healthcare Engineering to develop systematic equipment retirement plans
• Overseeing the RMD management program - including maintenance - repair - replacement - and contract oversight
• Collecting - analyzing - and reporting SPS quality and process improvement data - and collaborating with VISN and facility leadership to mitigate risks
• Developing corrective action plans for reprocessing non-conformities identified by oversight bodies - submitting plans for VISN approval - and ensuring implementation
• Preferred Experience: Supervisory experience and background in sterile processing
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized